Your Facility

Cast Care: Why You Need a Cast

April 26, 2018

Common Types of Fractures

Bones can break anywhere in the body. Casts are often used for fractures in the hands, arms, legs, or feet. There are many types of fractures. But all fractures heal the same way: New bone grows to connect the broken pieces. A cast holds broken bones in place while they heal.

How bones break

Depending on the injury, bones can break in different ways. These are the most common types of fractures. (You may have a fracture that’s not shown here.)

Nondisplaced fracture

Bone fragments (pieces) are lined up.

Displaced fracture

Bone fragments are not lined up.

Comminuted fracture

The bone is broken into 3 or more pieces.

Open fracture

The bone breaks through the skin. (A fracture that doesn’t break through the skin is a closed fracture.) Also known as a compound fracture.

Greenstick fracture

The bone bends, but it may not break all the way. This happens most often in children, whose bones are softer and still growing.